Director's welcome

Prof Costas Soutis, FREng, Director of the Aerospace Research Institute

Welcome to the website of The University of Manchester’s Aerospace Research Institute.

The mission of our Institute is to gain full benefit from the University’s diverse research capability and to be internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in aerospace research and innovation. The Institute nurtures a broad-based research portfolio and is seeking to establish a number of research initiatives that add value to the existing research base in the University.

In doing so, it plays a major role in sustaining "a level of focused aerospace applied research and demonstration sufficient to enhance the UK’s position in the global aerospace market" outlined in the National Aerospace Technology Strategy Report.

In Europe, the Horizon 2020 framework for research and innovation will steer European Commission (EC) research investment between 2014 and 2020. The EC also launched in March 2011 its Flightpath 2050 report, which defines the vision for the Aviation and Air Transport industries of Europe. The Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) has produced a strategic research and innovation agenda to deliver that vision. This is an opportunity, in collaboration with our industrial partners, to win EU research funding and strengthen our position in Europe helping to realise the vision we have set for the UK Aerospace sector (education and industry). Growth is dependent on our ability to create new ideas and concepts that industry can take them through to market, which require research and development as well as strategic capital investment.

I hope you find our website informative and if you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to either contact me or a member of our team who will be happy to assist.